Bible Commentaries
Psalms 47

Verse 1

CONTENTS

In this Psalm the prophet seems to have an eye to the bringing up the ark of God to Zion. But as the ark itself was well understood by the faithful to be a type of the Messiah, surely we may conclude that the one great object of this Psalm which engaged the prophet's mind and pen, was to point to the ascension of the Lord Jesus. And in this point of view it is a beautiful prophecy of a glorious event.

To time chief Musician. A Psalm for the sons of Korah

Verses 1-2

Here is a call from one awakened soul to another, nay, to all the people of God, to all the church of the Gentiles also, yet to be called to rejoice in Christ's salvation. The clapping of the hands implies perhaps not merely an outward token of inward delight; but it means let every demonstration be given, both by soul and body, of what a glorious cause for holy triumph there is in the consciousness of our risen, ascended, and triumphant Saviour.

Verses 3-4

Two most glorious and comprehensive blessings are assigned for this great joy; the one is a risen and exalted Saviour, who will subdue all his and our foes; and the other is, he will prepare us a place to follow him. Observe, Reader, what a beautiful correspondence - there is between the Old Testament hopes, and the New Testament assurances: read what Jesus himself hath said upon this very subject, John 14:1-3 .

Verses 5-7

This, if confined literally to the carrying up of the ark, would not be strictly true; for though there were shootings and the sound of the trumpet at that festival, yet God himself could not be said to have gone up, unless we still apply God's presence to this symbol of it; 2 Samuel 6:15 . In like manner, if we apply it to the ascension of Christ, in which we may truly say, God is gone up, yet upon this occasion it is not said that there was any sound of a trumpet or shoutings among the astonished disciples. But notwithstanding this, there might have been shoutings in the upper world beyond the hearing of mortals. If the sons of God shouted for joy at creation, as we are told they did, can we suppose they would be silent when redemption work was completed? And if at the return of the Lord Jesus to judgment he is to descend with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, is it not probable that the heavenly regions shouted for joy, when Christ the God-man, returned from the vast work which he had accomplished in our salvation? Job 38:7 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:18 .

Verses 8-9

How beautiful, and especially to us poor Gentiles, is the view, that the Holy Ghost, for the most part, always blends with the relation of Israel's salvation, the interest the Gentile church hath in the same. Sweet thought! they are joined and gathered together, as Abraham's seed, to the same glorious Shiloh. Precious Jesus! hasten the fulness of the Gentiles, that all Israel may be saved, and thou be crowned universal Lord of all. Genesis 49:10 ; John 11:51-52 ; Galatians 3:28-29 ; Romans 11:25-26 .

Verse 9

REFLECTIONS

HAIL! thou glorious, risen, ascended, and triumphant Saviour! Thou art indeed ascended up on high: Thou hath led captivity captive, and hast received gifts for men. Yea, Lord, for me, for many a poor rebellious sinner, that the Lord our God might dwell among them. And now, Lord, help me by faith to follow thee at the right hand of the Majesty on high. I know, Lord, and am fully persuaded, that all power is thine, in heaven and in earth. Lord! is it not thy blessed province, and is it not thy glory and delight, now thou art exalted as a prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins? Lord, send down all thine ascension gifts, I beseech thee. Do thou rule in me, and rule for me. Grant me, and all thy church, all the blessings of thy kingdom of grace here, and glory hereafter. Set up thy kingdom in our hearts. Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. And so sweetly constrain all the powers and faculties of the souls of thy redeemed into the holy love, and fear, and delight in thee, that songs of praise, and praises with understanding, may go forth from every heart, both here and forever to thee, the God of our salvation. Amen.